National Historical Park
Pennsylvania

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Self-Guided Touring Options

Self-Guided Driving TourValley Forge Park has nine major tour stops that follow the 10-mile route called The Encampment Tour. This driving tour can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on how often you stop. The tour takes you past some of the most scenic views of the park and to many historic monuments and sites. Follow the red line on the park map and the green and yellow signs (right).

A 60-minute CD audio tour is available for purchase in The Encampment Store and online.

Park MovieValley Forge: A Winter Encampment is the park's orientation film that is shown daily in the park theater. The 18-minute video provides an overview of the historical events that took place at Valley Forge during the 1777-1778 winter encampment and a brief synopsis of the American Revolution.

Cell Phone ToursValley Forge is full of great stories, now hear them come to life from the convenience of your cell phone. The cell phone tour is entirely self-guided, choose what you want to hear and when you want to hear it. Over thirty prompts are available and organized by Encampment Tour Stop. You can listen to the tour 24/7 and from any place with cell phone coverage. The tour is a free service, but you will use your own cell phone service and minutes.
Follow these simple steps to begin your tour:
1. Choose a prompt from the tour directory.
2. Dial 484-396-1018
3. Enter the prompt number, followed by "#".
4. Listen & enjoy!
5. Tell us what you think! Press 0 followed by "#" to record your feedback.

Historic Buildings to visit in the ParkWashington's Headquarters (tour stop #5) and Varnum's Quarters (tour stop #8) are two historic buildings in Valley Forge National Historical Park that tell important stories of the people who resided in them during the winter encampment.

Washington's Headquarters, also known as the Isaac Potts House, has the distinction of being the structure General Washington used as his headquarters during the 1777-1778 Valley Forge Encampment. At the time of the encampment the house was being rented by a Potts relative, Deborah Hewes. Mrs. Hewes in turn rented the entire house along with some furnishings to the General and his military family.

The building we now call Varnum's Quarters was owned by David Stephens and is a small stone farmhouse that, like many of the houses in the area, served as the quarters for one of the higher ranking officers. Unlike the house Washington rented, many of these homes were shared by the military and the family who owned them. For a short time this building served as Brigadier General Varnum's Quarters.

Outdoor ActivitiesValley Forge Park contains over 28 miles of authorized trail that are popular for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Picnicing, bird watching, and cross-country skiing are other popular activities. View a complete list of trail maps and other park brochures on our Maps and Brochures page.